Microtubule-associated protein 2, commonly called MAP2, is a neuronal protein associated with microtubules and strongly enriched in many dendrites. It contributes to organization of the dendritic cytoskeleton. Enrichment makes it useful as an experimental marker, but marker abundance and the full functional identity of a cell compartment are different properties. [ref]
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts and others. Chapter 16, Microtubule-Associated Proteins: cytoskeletal organization
In cultured hippocampal neurons, MAP2 immunostaining helped confirm dendritic identity after processes had been followed through development. [ref]
The establishment of polarity by hippocampal neurons in culture by Carlos G. Dotti and others. 1988, abstract: sequential photography and MAP2 immunostaining
Combining time-resolved shape changes with a molecular marker is more informative than calling every short process a dendrite. Developmental stage, isoform and preparation conditions also matter when interpreting staining. Articles by others on the same topic
There are currently no matching articles.